Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 144 - Health Department
Chapter 4664 - HOSPICE SERVICES
Part 4664.0320 - SURVEYS

Subpart 1. Coordination of surveys.

If feasible, the commissioner must survey licensees to determine compliance with this chapter at the same time as surveys for certification for Medicare and medical assistance if Medicare or Medicaid certification is based on compliance with the federal conditions of participation and on survey and enforcement by the Department of Health as agent for the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Subp. 2. Scheduling surveys.

Surveys must be conducted without advance notice to licensees. Surveyors may contact licensees on the day of a survey to arrange for someone to be available at the survey site. The contact does not constitute advance notice.

Subp. 3. Contacting and visiting hospice patients.

Surveyors may contact or visit a hospice provider's patients without notice to the licensee. Before visiting a patient, a surveyor must obtain the patient's or responsible person's permission by telephone, by mail, or in person. Surveyors must inform all patients and responsible persons of their right to decline permission for a visit.

Subp. 4. Information from hospice patients.

The commissioner may solicit information from hospice patients by telephone, mail, or other means.

Subp. 5. Patient information.

Upon the commissioner's request, a hospice provider must provide to the commissioner information identifying some or all of its patients and any other information about the hospice provider's services to the patients.

Subp. 6. Hospice patient sample.

The commissioner may conduct a written survey of all, or a sampling of, hospice patients to determine their satisfaction with the services provided.

Subp. 7. Fines.

A fine of $500 shall be assessed for each violation of subpart 5.